October 2024

At a Glance: 2024-25 District Grants 

District-wide Service Projects

District 7680 will be conducting two district-wide service projects in order to create impact within the District and garner maximum media interest. These are projects that impact our entire District and as such, lend themselves to participation from many clubs. We hope to create awareness about Rotary and our causes and attract potential members while making an impact in the areas of focus associated with these causes.

Please see the following two projects and consider helping us grow our impact as we share the gift of Rotary with others!

Alexander County: Title I Schools – Alexander County Schools District

Alleghany County: Title I / Title I Schools (alleghany.k12.nc.us)

Anson County: Title l Schools – ANSON COUNTY SCHOOLS (ansonschools.org)

Ashe County: Federal Programs / Title I (schoolwires.net)

Cabarrus County: Cabarrus County Schools – Title l Overview

Cleveland County: CCS Title I – Title I Schools (google.com)

Gaston County: Title l Schools 2023-2024 on GCS Letterhead.pdf (gaston.k12.nc.us)

Iredell County: Title 1 Contacts – Iredell-Statesville School District (issnc.org)

Mecklenburg County: Federal Programs / Title I Schools (cmsk12.org)

Richmond County: Federal Programs • Departments – RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOLS

Rowan County: Federal Programs / Title 1 (rssed.org)

Stanly County: Title I Program Information 2023-2024.pdf – Google Drive

Union County: Federal Programs / Federal Programs (ucps.k12.nc.us)

Wilkes County: WCS Title 1 Schools – Title I – Wilkes County Schools

Foundation Matters – Monthly Bite-sized Webinar

Third Thursday each month at 6 pm – 6:45 pm Eastern Time. Join virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85767045645?pwd=Gc3KmgTKdV63aIarbDYnuEBZY8vizZ.1

We were notified recently that District 7680 was being recognized by the Rotary Foundation for our compliance with reporting requirements relative to grans. Congratulations to all from last year’s Foundation team who were responsible for this including PDG Debb Corbett, Foundation Chair Beth Trotter, District Grants Chair Sharon Heinrich, and Global Grants Chair George Solomon.

A Proclamation for World Polio Day! Can we Spread It?

We are giving a HUGE shout-out to the Rotary Club of Charlotte for their initiative to have a Proclamation issued by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, recognizing October 24, 2024, as World Polio Day.

The idea was conceived by Immediate Past President Edwin Peacock and then advocated for by current President, Kim Brattain. Kim assembled a team of awesome club members to get this done, including Tish Atkins, Laura Meier, Virginia Owen, Donna Dunlap and Christine Cipriano. Here’s the verbiage they developed for the Proclamation:

Proclamation
World Polio Day
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
October 24, 2024

Whereas, World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24th to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis; and

Whereas, the global effort to eradicate polio has been one of the most successful public health initiatives, reducing polio cases by over 99% since 1988; and

Whereas, Rotary International, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have led the Global Polio Eradication Initiative; and

Whereas, polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and sometimes even death, primarily affecting children under the age of five; and

Whereas, thanks to extensive vaccination efforts, polio is now endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it remains a threat until it is eradicated everywhere; and

Whereas, the eradication of polio will prevent an estimated 10 million cases of paralysis in children over the next 40 years and will save over $40 billion in healthcare costs, particularly in low-income countries; and

Whereas, continued vigilance and immunization are essential to ensure that polio does not return to polio-free countries; and

Whereas, the residents of Mecklenburg County are encouraged to support polio eradication efforts and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination; and

Whereas, the commitment to eradicating polio is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, governments, and organizations around the world work together towards a common goal; and

Whereas, on this World Polio Day, we honor the dedication and efforts of healthcare workers, volunteers, and organizations who strive to eliminate this disease and improve global health.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners hereby proclaims October 24, 2024, as World Polio Day in Mecklenburg County and urges all residents to recognize the importance of continued support and efforts to eradicate polio globally.

Signed this 24th day of October, 2024,

Now, here’s my ask of club Presidents: Can we replicate this in each of our 14 counties within District 7680? It would be great if every Board of County Commissioners could issue a similar Proclamation, recognizing October 24^th as World Polio Day! Let’s make this happen and do something truly exceptional to honor our work in eradicating polio!

Mothers and Babies Hospital Nepal update

In our August Newsletter in recognition of her very generous donation to the hospital project, Ann Evans of the Charlotte International Club was incorrectly named Anne Smith.

I apologize for this error.

PDG David Hare

When I was five my dad, Kemp Michael, took me to the first Mt. Holly Rotary Christmas Party for underprivileged kids.  The year was 1982 and he was the president of the club.  There were about 25 kids there and we had a ball.  We got to eat as many hotdogs and hamburgers as we could possibly shove into our mouths.  I won the eating contest that year with 5 hotdogs and 2 hamburgers.  I was about to pop.

It was a great party on that cold dark night in December.  It was warm and festive inside and all of the kids had a great time.  After we ate we sang Christmas carols and then Santa himself showed up and handed out presents to all the kids.  My dad had explained this was a party for these kids and I would get to open my presents on Christmas morning.  I did not mind that I wasn’t getting a present that night until I saw one of the kids open my Christmas present!

I asked for an Armatron Robotic Arm for Christmas that year and I had peaked through a fold in the wrapping paper at home just the day before and knew for sure my Armatron was safely tucked away under our Christmas tree.  I was a bit concerned when that boy opened my present with the same wrapping paper but I didn’t say anything and tried to be happy for him.  Apparently one of the Rotarians could not make it to the party and therefore one child did not have a gift.  My dad discovered this problem halfway through dinner and ran home and grabbed my gift.  This caused a bit of stress that year for me as I was uncertain as to what to expect come Christmas morning.  But never fear, Santa came through for me and brought me my Armatron!  It all worked out!

Now, 42 years later I organize this annual Christmas party with a glad heart and fond memories of all the years we have touched the hearts of these wonderful kids in our community!  There is nothing like bringing a smile to a child’s face at Christmas and I want to thank my dad for this great tradition and all the kids he has touched through this wonderful event that he still attends with me each year.  He celebrated 50 years in Rotary this year and I am so very proud of him!